Indonesia Pushes For Stronger ASEAN Stance Amid Rising Nuclear Tensions

By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar

JAKARTA, July 8 (Bernama) -- Indonesia has stressed the need for ASEAN to take a firmer stance on nuclear disarmament, warning that recent global developments, including attacks on International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)-monitored nuclear facilities in Iran, are pushing the world closer to nuclear instability.

Foreign Minister Sugiono described the current arms control environment as “deeply alarming”, citing stagnation in disarmament, the expansion of nuclear stockpiles, and the retreat of Nuclear Weapon States (NWS) from their Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) obligations.

“These trends significantly heighten the risk of miscalculation and escalation, with grave consequences,” he said at the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Commission meeting held in conjunction with the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.

He warned that attacks on safeguarded nuclear sites violate international law and threaten the credibility of the IAEA and NPT frameworks.

Sugiono stressed ASEAN must keep advancing towards a nuclear-weapon-free region and called for full implementation of the SEANWFZ Treaty, including pressing NWS to sign its Protocol without reservations.

Indonesia welcomed China’s recent indication of readiness to accede to the Protocol unconditionally, describing it as a “landmark opportunity” to revive momentum.

“To ensure progress, ASEAN should prioritise finalising the draft Memorandum of Understanding with China and adopt a time-bound work plan,” he said.

He also called for deeper collaboration with other Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones, particularly Latin America’s OPANAL, to bolster global disarmament efforts.

On Timor-Leste, Indonesia commended the Chair’s leadership in advancing the country’s accession to the SEANWFZ Treaty, with Sugiono reaffirming full support for its inclusion as a state party and expressing hope for its signing at the 47th ASEAN Summit in October.

“Timor-Leste’s accession will strengthen both the geographic scope and political weight of the Treaty,” he said.

Amid the bleak reality of nuclear threats, he said that the SEANWFZ Treaty remains ASEAN’s critical instrument to preserve peace and security in the region.

“Let us strengthen our collective resolve for a region free from nuclear weapons,” he added.

-- BERNAMA